Fog lights are very useful when visibility on the road becomes very poor, but there is one very important rule to know.
Snow and ice are motorists’ worst enemies. You only have to see the chaos caused by the fall of a few snowflakes in big cities to realize how delicate it is to drive a vehicle in extreme conditions, especially when the cars are not properly equipped. . But another meteorological phenomenon, also rather wintery, is very feared by drivers: fog. Sometimes sudden, fog patches greatly reduce visibility, both of the road, of other vehicles, of pedestrians and even of road signs.
To help you see more clearly when the fog has set in, vehicles are equipped with specific lights, called fog lights, which complement the other more traditional lights: position, dipped beam and main beam. Since driving in fog doesn’t happen every day, many drivers don’t know how to use the appropriate lights.
This is even more true since automatic headlight switching has become standard in modern vehicles. Many motorists have lost (or never had) the habit of using steering wheel controls to better illuminate the road. However, fog lights do not activate on their own, which probably explains why so many vehicles do not have their fog lights on when driving in fog.
However, it is essential to do it when the weather conditions require it. But for this you need to know how to do it, especially since improper use of lights can result in a fine of 135 euros. First of all, it is essential to know that front fog lights are not mandatory on vehicles; the new Renault Captur does not have any, for example. On the other hand, they are at the rear, where only one is enough, most often placed on the left. And their function is not the same.
The front fog lights complement the low beam lights and illuminate a large area in front of the vehicle when visibility is reduced. To operate them, simply turn the ring to the symbol representing a headlight with lines of light facing forward on the lever located to the left or right of the steering wheel. The indicator light turns green on the dashboard. At the rear, the fog lights are not for seeing but for being seen. They are more powerful and more dazzling than front fog lights and even high beams (full headlights). This is why there is an essential rule to know when you want to use them: never turn them on when it rains.
The power of the rear fog lights, which light up in the same way as those at the front except that the symbol represents a headlight with lines of light this time oriented towards the rear – and the indicator light lights up in orange -, is such that their use in the rain is very disturbing for following vehicles. The Highway Code prohibits it so as not to further endanger other users driving in fog.
This is why improper use of fog lights is considered an offense punishable by a 4th class fine. On the other hand, no ban applies when it snows. On the contrary, it is recommended to turn on the front and rear fog lights when snowflakes fall from the sky.